The city of Buckley didn’t have to look far to find its new fire chief, promoting Eric Skogen from the No. 2 job to the fire department’s top post.
The fire chief position became available following the retirement of Alan Predmore, who spent most of his working life in a Buckley uniform. Following 13 years as a city police officer he switched to the fire/EMT operation and led the department for 23 years.
Skogen is a local product, having graduated from White River High School. His professional career was launched when he became a volunteer firefighter with the Buckley department in 2002. He eventually joined South Pierce Fire and Rescue, advancing to the rank of assistant chief. In 2015 he was named assistant chief in Buckley.